Enhanced method and system for programming a mobile telephone over the air within a mobile telephone communication network

ABSTRACT

An improved method for programming a mobile telephone over the air within a mobile telephone communication network is disclosed. The mobile telephone communication network includes an over-the-air function, a customer service center, a mobile switching center, a base station controller, and multiple base transceiver stations. The over-the-air function, using the mobile switching center, the base station controller, and one of the base transceiver stations for transport, initially sends a request over the air to a mobile telephone within the mobile telephone communication network to interrogate the mobile telephone&#39;s protocol capability. In response to the request, the mobile telephone sends a protocol capability response message over the air back to the over-the-air function. The protocol capability response message includes a BAND_MODE_CAP field that describes the band and mode capability information of the mobile telephone. In addition, the protocol capability response message may also includes a SERVICE_OPTION field that describes the service options supported by the mobile telephone.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/042,951, filed Mar. 17, 1998, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,223,028, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. Sec. 119(e) toU.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/039,193, filed Mar. 17, 1997,both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method and system for servicing awireless communication network in general, and in particular to a methodand system for servicing a mobile telephone communication network. Stillmore particularly, the present invention relates to an enhanced methodand system for programming a mobile telephone over the air within amobile telephone communication network.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A mobile telephone communication network is an integrated networkcomprising a land-based wireline telephone network and a compositewired-wireless network. The land-based wireline network is thetraditional telephone system in which each telephone subscriber isconnected to a central switching network, commonly known as the publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), capable of handling thousands ofsimultaneous telephone calls. The composite wire-wireless network is thebasis of today's mobile telephone communication network. The heart ofthe composite wire-wireless network is a wireless-specific switch, whichis generally known as a mobile switching center (MSC), derived from PSTNswitches by adding several functions that are pertinent to the mobiletelephone communication network. Along with the MSC, a base stationcontroller (BSC) is utilized to control base stations located atdifferent convenient sites within the mobile telephone communicationnetwork. The coverage of each base station varies from less than akilometer to several kilometers, depending on the propagationenvironment and traffic density.

A mobile telephone communication network is designed to serve mobiletelephone subscribers within a given geographic area, known as ametropolitan service area (MSA). A typical mobile telephonecommunication network has the capacity to serve thousands of mobiletelephone subscribers within a large MSA. Mobile telephone subscribersare expected to subscribe services from a mobile telephone serviceprovider for services within a specific MSA. When the mobile telephonesubscriber operates within its subscribed MSA, the mobile telephonesubscriber is referred to as a home mobile, while outside of itssubscribed MSA the mobile telephone subscriber is referred to as aroamer.

The first objective of a mobile telephone service is to provide dialaccess between home mobiles and any other telephones (landline ormobile) reached through the PSTN. The second objective of the mobiletelephone service is to provide access to and from roamers. In order tosatisfy both of the above-mentioned objectives, it is essential for thesubscriber's mobile telephone to have a standard 10-digit telephonenumber, including a three-digit area code plus a seven-digit directorynumber. A 34-bit binary mobile identification number (MIN), which maysometimes be derived from the 10-digit telephone number, identifies anindividual mobile telephone subscriber within the mobile telephonecommunication network.

For calls originated by a mobile telephone subscriber, the mobiletelephone communication network not only needs the dialed digits butalso requires the originating mobile telephone subscriber'sidentification. Such identification, including the MIN, is stored in anumber assignment module (NAM), which is part of the mobile telephone.Under the prior art, the NAM is programmed by a mobile telephone serviceprovider when the mobile telephone subscriber initially subscribes forservice. Once the NAM has been programmed, the mobile telephone must bephysically brought back to the original service provider (or a newservice provider) in order to change the information within the NAM.

With the advent of the Over-the-Air Service provisioning (OTASP), amobile telephone subscriber is provided with more flexibility. As theterm “over-the-air service” implies, OTASP allows some of the operatingparameters within a mobile telephone to be changed by a mobile telephonecommunication network over the air via an over-the-air function/customerservice center (OTAF/CSC). Nevertheless, once a mobile telephone hasbeen initially programmed, the OTAF/CSC still has no convenient way ofknowing the capability of the mobile telephone that is in use, such aswhether the mobile telephone supports cellular or personal communicationservice, dual-band or single band, analog or digital, etc. Thisinformation is essential for the OTAF/CSC to determine which preferredroaming list (PRL) and NAM indicator block are to be constructed anddownloaded to the requesting mobile telephone. In addition, when amobile telephone is to be activated for additional service, the OTAF/CSCagain has no convenient way of knowing which service options the mobiletelephone may support. This service options information is critical forallowing the OTAF/CSC to initiate appropriate provisioning of the mobiletelephone in a home locate register (HLR), when the mobile telephonesubscriber wishes to subscribe to some special services such as shortmessage services (SMS). Consequently, it is desirable to provide animproved method for programming a mobile telephone over the air within amobile telephone communication network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved method for servicing a wirelesscommunication network.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedmethod and system for servicing a mobile telephone communicationnetwork.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improvedmethod and system for programming a mobile telephone over the air withina mobile telephone communication network.

In accordance with a method and system of the present invention, amobile telephone communication network includes an over-the-airfunction, a customer service center, a mobile switching center, a basestation controller, and multiple base transceiver stations. Theover-the-air function, using the mobile switching center, base stationcontroller and one of the base transceiver stations for transport,initially sends a request over the air to a mobile telephone within themobile telephone communication network to interrogate the mobiletelephone's protocol capability. In response to the request, the mobiletelephone sends a protocol capability response message over the air backto the over-the-air function. The protocol capability response messageincludes a BAND_MODE_CAP field that describes the band and modecapability information of the mobile telephone. In addition, theprotocol capability response message may also includes a SERVICE_OPTIONfield that describes the service options supported by the mobiletelephone.

All objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent in the following detailed written description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjects, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference tothe following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial diagram of a mobile telephone communicationnetwork in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may beimplemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, there isdepicted a pictorial diagram of a mobile telephone communication network10 in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may beimplemented. Communication network 10 may utilize an analog protocolsuch as advanced mobile phone service (AMPS) or a digital protocol suchas code-division multiple access (CDMA). As shown, communication network10 includes several base transceiver stations (BTSs) 12 a-12 n locatedat various locations within communication network 10. Each of BTSs 12a-12 n is controlled by a base station controller (BSC) 11. Within theservice area of communication network 10, there are several mobiletelephones, such as mobiles 13 a, 13 b, 13 c, 13 d and 13 e. Constantcommunications must be maintained between a mobile and at least one ofBTSs 12 a-12 n when the mobile is being utilized to communicate withanother telephone.

Coupled to BSC 11 is a mobile switching center (MSC) 14 for supportingmultiple-access technologies such as AMPS and CDMA, and connectivity toa public switched telephone network (PSTN) 19. In addition, MSC 14supports various call processing functions. Along with BSC 11 and MSC14, an Over-the-Air Function (OTAF) 15 allows a mobile telephonesubscriber to activate and program a mobile, such as one of mobiles 13a-13 e, without the intervention of a third party. OTAF 15 also allows amobile telephone service provider to modify, over the air, certainoperating parameters previously stored within mobiles 13 a-13 e. Theseparameters include number assignment module (NAM) indicators such as amobile identification number (MIN) and a mobile directory number, apreferred roaming list, and a service programming code. A detailedspecification for the OTASP operation can be found in “Over-the-AirService Provisioning of Mobile Stations in Spread Spectrum Systems”(TIA/EIA/IS-683-A), which is incorporated herein by reference.

Typically, a computer system 16 is located within OTAF 15 for performingthe over-the-air programming function. Computer system 16 may be, forexample, a midrange computer having a processor and a main memory as iswell-known to those skilled in the art. The software for performing theover-the-air programming commonly resides within computer system 16. Inaddition, OTAF 15 is coupled to a customer service center (CSC) 17,which connects to a home locate register (HLR) 18. CSC 17 initiates OTAFoperations, and provides an operator with the means for voiceconversations with the subscriber whose mobile is being programmed. Thevoice data exchanged betweeen the operator and the subscriber transitsfrom CSC 17, PSTN 19, MSC 14, BSC 11, and BTS 12 a-12 n to mobiles 13a-13 e. CSC 17 also receives status from OTAF 15 related to theprogramming of mobiles 13 a-13 e. Finally, CSC 17 may initiate creationof a modification to the subscriber's profile in HLR 18. Thesubscriber's profile includes an indentification of the mobile'sdirectory number, MIN, and various service options.

As mentioned previously, an appropriate NAM indicator needs to beprogrammed into a mobile for the proper functioning of the mobile. Thereare two types of NAM indicators: (1) a Personal Communication System(PCS) indicator for mobiles capable of operating in the PCS band (1.9GHz), and (2) a cellular indicator for mobiles capable of operating inthe cellular band (800 MHz). In addition, an appropriate preferredroaming list (PRL) is required for roaming support of the mobile. A PRLis essentially a system table for assisting the mobile to locate apreferred mobile communication network upon power-on of the mobile whenit is located outside the mobile's subscribed service area. A PRL caninclude entries specifying mobile communication networks in differentregions, including the bands and operation modes.

Any one of mobiles 13 a-13 e within mobile telephone communicationnetwork 10 may be programmed by OTAF 15 via one of base transceiverstations 12 a-12 n. Preferably, MSC 14, BSC 11, and base transceiverstations 12 a-12 n simply provide transport between OTAF 15 and mobiles13 a-13 e for the actual exchanges of the protocol capability requestsand responses. Before programming, OTAF 15 needs to send a request to amobile, via one of BTSs 12 a-12 n, to interrogate the mobile's protocolcapability, and the mobile will respond with a protocol capabilityresponse message. With reference now to Table I, there is depicted alist of parameters in a protocol capability response message from amobile to a base transceiver station over the air within mobiletelephone communication network 10, in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

TABLE I Field Length (bits) OTASP_MSG_TYPE 8 MOB_FIRM_REV 16  MOB_MODEL8 NUM_FEATURES 8 FEATURE_ID 8 FEATURE_P_REV 8 BAND_MODE_CAP 8 NUM_SO 8SERVICE_OPTION 16 

The OTASP_MSG_TYPE field describes a message type of OTASP compliantdata. The OTASP_MSG_TYPE field is an eight-bit field, and is preferablyset by the mobile to “00000110” to indicate the present message as aprotocol capability response message.

The MOB_FIRM_REV field describes a firmware revision number of themobile. The MOB_FIRM_REV field is a 16-bit field, and is preferably setby the mobile to the value of the permanent mobile station indicator,MOB_FIRM_REV_(p).

The MOB_MODEL field describes a model number of the mobile assigned bythe mobile manufacturer. The MOB_MODEL field is an eight-bit field, andis preferably set by the mobile to the value of the permanent mobilestation indicator, MOB_MODEL_(p).

The NUM_FEATURES field describes the number of features supported by themobile. The NUM_FEATURES field is an eight-bit field, and is preferablyset by the mobile to indicate the total length of the subsequent bitsfor indicating all the features supported by the mobile. Each individualfeature is described by two fields, namely, a FEATURE_ID field and aFEATURE_P_REV field. Hence, if there are two features, NUM_FEATURESfield will be set to “00000010” along with two FEATURE_ID fields and twoFEATURE_P_REV fields, interleaving each other (i.e., FEATURE_ID field,FEATURE_P_REV field, FEATURE_ID field, FEATURE_P_REV field).

The FEATURE_ID field describes a feature identifier. The FEATURE_IDfield is an eight-bit field, and is preferably set according to one ofthe entries under the FEATURE_ID column in Table II to indicate aspecific feature supported by the mobile.

TABLE II Features FEATURE_ID FEATURE_P_REV NAM download 0000000000000010 or less key exchange 00000001 00000001 or less system selectionfor 00000010 00000000 preferred roaming service programming 0000001100000001 lock or less reserved for future 00000100 standardizationthrough 10111111 available for 11000000 manufacturer-specific throughfeatures 11111110 reserved 11111111

The FEATURE_P_REV field describes a feature protocol version. TheFEATURE_P_REV field is an eight-bit field, and is preferably setaccording to one of the entries under the FEATURE_P_REV column in TableII to indicate a protocol version of the specific feature supported bythe mobile.

Even with the OTASP, the OTAF/CSC still has no convenient way of knowingthe mobile's capability, such as whether the mobile communicatesutilizing a cellular band or a PCS band, with dual band or single band,an AMPS mode or a CDMA mode, or with dual mode or single mode, unlessthe mobile can relate such information to the OTAF/CSC. Theabove-mentioned information related to the mobile's capability isessential for the OTAF/CSC to determine which PRL(s) and NAM indicatorblock(s) should be downloaded to the requesting mobile. Under the priorart, there are only two options available to the mobile telephoneservice provider. This first option is to construct a global PRL thatcan be utilized by all mobiles, regardless of their capabilities, andthe second option is to establish some sort of databases associated withthe electronic serial number or the model number of the mobiles.Needless to say, extraneous information is likely to be downloaded tothe requesting mobile under the first option, and the databases in thesecond option are typically quite large and are probably difficult tomaintain.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, aBAND_MODE_CAP field is utilized to allow the mobile telephone serviceprovider to obtain the capability of the mobile over the air, such thata custom PRL and NAM indicator block specific to the mobile's capabilitycan be downloaded to the mobile. The BAND_MODE_CAP field describes theband/mode capability information of the mobile. The BAND_MODE_CAP fieldis an eight-bit field, and is preferably set by the mobile to indicatethe mobile's band and mode capabilities, such as whether the mobilecommunicates utilizing a cellular band or a PCS band, with dual band orsingle band, and whether the mobile utilizes an AMPS mode or a CDMAmode, with dual mode or single mode. The BAND_MODE_CAP field includesseveral subfields as shown in Table III. Subfield “band Class 0 AMPS”indicates whether the mobile is capable of AMPS mode in a cellular band.Subfield “band Class 0 CDMA” indicates whether the mobile is capable ofCDMA mode in a cellular band. Subfield “band Class 1 CDMA” indicateswhether the mobile is capable of CDMA mode in a PCS band. Each subfieldwithin BAND_MODE_CAP field is preferably set to “1” if the correspondingtype of band/mode is supported by the mobile. The reserved subfield ispreferably set to “00000.”

TABLE III Description Length (bits) band Class 0 AMPS 1 band Class 0CDMA 1 band Class 1 CDMA 1 reserved 5

In addition, when a mobile is to be activated for additional service,the OTAF has no convenient way of knowing which service options themobile may support. This service options information is critical forallowing the OTAF to initiate certain provisioning of the mobile in ahome locate register (HLR), when the mobile telephone subscriber wishesto subscribe to some special services such as short message services.Thus, the NUM_SO field is utilized to describe a number of serviceoptions available to the mobile.

The NUM_SO field is an eight-bit field, and is preferably set to thenumber of service options supported by the mobile. Similar to theNUM_FEATURES field, the NUM_SO field indicates the total number of thesubsequent SERVICE_OPTION field(s) for indicating all the serviceoptions supported by the mobile.

The SERVICE_OPTION field describes all supported service options. TheSERVICE_OPTION field is a 16-bit field, and is preferably set to theservice option code column in accordance with Table IV. The type ofservice associated with each service option code in also described inTable IV.

TABLE IV service option code (in decimal) Designated/Type of Service   1Basic Variable Rate Voice Service (8 kbps)   2 Mobile Station Loopback(8 kbps)   3 Enhanced Variable Rate Voice Service (8 kbps)   4Asynchronous Data Service (9.6 kbps)   5 Group 3 Facsimile (9.6 kbps)  6 Short Message Services (rate set 1)   7 Packet Data Service:Internet or ISO Protocol Stack   8 Packet Data Service: CDPD ProtocolStack   9 Mobile Station Loopback (13 kbps)  10 STU-III TransparentService  11 STU-III Non-Transparent Service  12 Asynchronous DataService (14.4 or 9.6 kbps)  13 Group 3 Facsimile (14.4 or 9.6 kbps)  14Short Message Services (rate set 2)  15 Packet Data Service: Internet orISO Protocol Stack (14.4 kbps)  16 Packet Data Service: CDPD ProtocolStack (14.4 kbps)  17 High Rate Voice Service (13 kbps)  18 Over-the-AirParameter Administration (Rate Set 1)  19 Over-the-Air ParameterAdministration (Rate Set 2)  20 Group 3 Analog Facsimile (Rate Set 1) 21 Group 3 Analog Facsimile (Rate Set 2)  22-4099 Reserved for standardservice options 4100 Asynchronous Data Service Revision 1 (9.6 or 14.4kbps) 4101 Group 3 Facsimile Revision 1 (9.6 or 14.4 kbps) 4102 Reservedfor standard service option 4103 Packet Data Service: Internet or ISOProtocol Stack Revision 1 (9.6 or 14.4 kbps) 4104 Packet Data Service:CDPD Protocol Stack Revision 1 (9.6 or 14.4 kbps) 4105-32.767 reservedfor standard service options

As has been described, the present invention provides an enhanced methodfor programming a mobile telephone over the air within a mobiletelephone communication network. In addition to mobiles, the presentinvention is also applicable to fixed wireless access applications. Thecomputer system for implementing the present invention preferablyresides in an OTAF. It is important to note that the mechanisms of thepresent invention are capable of being distributed as a program productin a variety of forms, and that the present invention applies equallyregardless of the particular type of signal bearing media utilized toactually carry out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing mediainclude, without limitation, recordable type media such as floppy disksor CD ROMs and transmission type media such as analog or digitalcommunications links.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for programming a mobile telephonecomprising: establishing a communication pat with an over-the-airfunction of a servicing mobile telephone communication network, whereinthe communication path includes an over the air path between the mobiletelephone and a servicing base transceiver station; receiving a requestfrom the over-the-air function via the communication path, wherein therequest interrogates the mobile telephone's operating capabilities;responding to the over-the-air function via the communication path witha protocol capability response message that describes band and modecapabilities of the mobile telephone; and receiving operationalparameters from the over-the-air function via the communication path,wherein the operational parameters include a preferred roaming list anda number assignment module indicator block that are based upon the bandand mode capabilities of the mobile telephone.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the protocol capability response message includes aBAND_MODE_CAP field that includes an analog cellular band subfielddescribing analog cellular band operations supported by the mobiletelephone, a digital cellular band subfield describing cellular bandoperations supported by the mobile telephone, and a digital personalcommunication service band subfield describing personal communicationservice band operations supported by the mobile telephone.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the protocol capability response message furtherincludes: a NUM_SO field that indicates a number of service optionssupported by the mobile telephone; and a SERVICE_OPTION field for eachof the number of service options supported by the mobile telephone,wherein each SERVICE_OPTION field indicates a service option supportedby the mobile telephone.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the serviceoptions are selected from the group consisting of basic variable ratevoice service, enhanced variable rate voice service, asynchronous dataservice, facsimile service, packet data service, short message service,and over the air parameter administration.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein data from the protocol capability response message is used forthe provisioning of services for the mobile telephone at a home locationregister serving the mobile telephone.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising operating the mobile telephone according to the operationalparameters received from the over-the-air function.
 7. A mobiletelephone comprising: means for establishing a communication path withan over-the-air function of a servicing mobile telephone communicationnetwork, wherein the communication path includes an over the air pathbetween the mobile telephone and a servicing base transceiver station;means for receiving a request from the over-the-air function via thecommunication path, wherein the request interrogates the mobiletelephone's operating capabilities; means for responding to theover-the-air function via the communication path with a protocolcapability response message that describes band and mode capabilities ofthe mobile telephone; and means for receiving operational parametersfrom the over-the-air function via the communication path, wherein theoperational parameters include a preferred roaming list and a numberassignment module indicator block that are based upon the band and modecapabilities of the mobile telephone.
 8. The mobile telephone of claim7, wherein the protocol capability response message includes aBAND_MODE_CAP field that includes an analog cellular band subfielddescribing analog cellular band operations supported by the mobiletelephone, a digital cellular band subfield describing cellular bandoperations supported by the mobile telephone, and a digital personalcommunication service band subfield describing personal communicationservice band operations supported by the mobile telephone.
 9. The mobiletelephone of claim 7, wherein the protocol capability response messagefurther includes: a NUM_SO field that indicates a number of serviceoptions supported by the mobile telephone; and a SERVICE_OPTION fieldfor each of the number of service options supported by the mobiletelephone, wherein each SERVICE_OPTION field indicates a service optionsupported by the mobile telephone.
 10. The mobile telephone of claim 9,wherein the service options are selected from the group consisting ofbasic variable rate voice service, enhanced variable rate voice service,asynchronous data service, facsimile service, packet data service, shortmessage service, and over the air parameter administration.
 11. Themobile telephone of claim 7, wherein data from the protocol capabilityresponse message is used for the provisioning of services for the mobiletelephone at a home location register serving the mobile telephone. 12.The mobile telephone of claim 7, further comprising means for operatingthe mobile telephone according to the operational parameters receivedfrom the over-the-air function.
 13. A mobile telephone comprising: acase; an antenna coupled to the case that supports wirelesscommunications with a servicing base transceiver station; wherein themobile telephone establishes a communication path with an over-the-airfunction of a servicing mobile telephone communication network, whereinthe communication path includes a wireless path between the mobiletelephone and the servicing base transceiver station; wherein the mobiletelephone receives a request from the over-the-air function via thecommunication path, wherein the request interrogates the mobiletelephone's operating capabilities; wherein the mobile telephoneresponds to the over-the-air function via the communication path with aprotocol capability response message that describes band and modecapabilities of the mobile telephone; and wherein the mobile telephonereceives operational parameters from the over-the-air function via thecommunication path, wherein the operational parameters include apreferred roaming list and a number assignment module indicator blockthat are based upon the band and mode capabilities of the mobiletelephone.
 14. The mobile telephone of claim 13, wherein the protocolcapability response message includes a BAND_MODE_CAP field that includesan analog cellular band subfield describing analog cellular bandoperations supported by the mobile telephone, a digital cellular bandsubfield describing cellular band operations supported by the mobiletelephone, and a digital personal communication service band subfielddescribing personal communication service band operations supported bythe mobile telephone.
 15. The mobile telephone of claim 13, wherein theprotocol capability response message further includes: a NUM_SO fieldthat indicates a number of service options supported by the mobiletelephone; and a SERVICE_OPTION field for each of the number of serviceoptions supported by the mobile telephone, wherein each SERVICE_OPTIONfield indicates a service option supported by the mobile telephone. 16.The mobile telephone of claim 15, wherein the service options areselected from the group consisting of basic variable rate voice service,enhanced variable rate voice service, asynchronous data service,facsimile service, packet data service, short message service, and overthe air parameter administration.
 17. The mobile telephone of claim 13,wherein data from the protocol capability response message is used forthe provisioning of services for the mobile telephone at a home locationregister serving the mobile telephone.
 18. The mobile telephone of claim13, wherein the mobile telephone operates according to the operationalparameters received from the over-the-air function.